Taunton Warriors 24 Imperial 10

Many of you who follow the Warriors would have looked at this team, scratched you head and asked “what are the coaches playing at” Oliver Wrelton and Brodie Sheach on the bench.  Two of the outstanding players for the Warriors on the bench was planned for them, as next day they would be representing the club and themselves by playing for Somerset under 20’s against Gloucestershire.  On the GMS match card, we are compelled to identify all players designated as front row players with a “Y” of the matchday squad of eighteen we had eight.  We must also welcome Evan Snowden to the squad who played at fullback, this being his first senior game coming in from our Colts.  Charlie Brock another eighteen-year-old from Millfield School having trained with the club as an Exeter Chiefs Academy player started his senior contact at prop.  Yet another young prop, Charles Bonetti on the bench.  With Charlie Way still not back we welcomed Oliver Newey at scrumhalf.  Finally, Tom Popham who put on the number-10 jersey to play in his fifteenth consecutive season at the club.

With all of these changes it was fairly obvious that it would take the team a little while to settle, two props in the backrow were going to take a little time to adjust, a hooker/number eight in the centre would have to relish the wide-open spaces.  Imperial were able to exploit these changes in the first twenty minutes when they scored two tries and built up a ten-point lead.  As the Warriors started to get together so they started to gain good possession and Sam Knott was able to go in for the first try.  Oli Brown who has scored in most games that he has played then got himself on the score sheet and the Warriors had a lead, something they did not lose for the rest of the match.  Sam Knott scored the third try and his second of the afternoon before big Jo Atkins playing at number eight went in for the fourth and bonus point try.

This commitment by the Warriors team who are prepared to put on that Taunton shirt and play anywhere they are asked for the team must be credited by the ethos put into them by the ever-present John Wrelton and Brett Harvey, in no particular order.  Next week brings the clash of the Taunton teams when the Warriors take on Huish Tigers at Veritas Park, kick off2.30pm.  Huish have been putting in some credible performances these last few weeks and must not be underestimated.  The Warriors will need to be at their best and will need all of our support in what should be a very interesting and entertaining game.

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